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Santa Barbara Dreaming

Santa Barbara Dreaming

An legendary Hacienda tucked into the lush Santa Barbara foothills re-stakes its claim as a sunny haunt for Hollywood stars, political leaders and savvy traveler.

By Michael M. Clements

Originally part of land titled in 1769 by the Kind of Spain, San Ysidro Ranch served as a way station for Franciscan monks in the late 1700s and a working citrus ranch in the 1800s; in the 1930s Hollywood actor and former California Senator Ronald Colman transformed it into a secluded resort for world leaders and Hollywood’s A-list. John and Jackie Kennedy choose it for their honeymoon in 1953.

Originally part of land titled in 1769 by the Kind of Spain, San Ysidro Ranch served as a way station for Franciscan monks in the late 1700s and a working citrus ranch in the 1800s; in the 1930s Hollywood actor and former California Senator Ronald Colman transformed it into a secluded resort for world leaders and Hollywood’s A-list. John and Jackie Kennedy choose it for their honeymoon in 1953.

“It’s difficult for one used to our Eastern winter climate to imagine a more delightful situation.” – Winston Churchill

For three months during the winter of 1912-13, Winston Churchill, then 38 and having recently been named First Lord of the Admiralty, found himself – surprisingly – not involved greatly in affairs of State. Instead, the iconic British leader sank head first into the California lifestyle. Still forty years removed from his 1953 Nobel Prize in Literature, he waxed poetic about his stay at San Ysidro Ranch: “The mountains, scored by deep canyons,” he wrote, “rise up behind, for all the world like grand-opera scenery idealized, and far below, across the green plains of Montecito, one sees the white line of the beach and the Pacific stretching westward to blue islands shimmering in the haze.” He would return sixteen years later in the fall of 1929 after a visiting with publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst in San Francisco to engage, almost Hemingway-esque, in bill fishing off the coast of nearby Catalina Island.

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NYC’s Top Boutique Hotels

NYC’s Top Boutique Hotels

Heading to New York? Get exclusive rates at these top three boutique hotels through our partnership with Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Soho House NY

Soho House NY

Soho House NY 2

SOHO HOUSE NEW YORK

Cool Britannia in the heart of New York’s buzzing Meatpacking District, the Manhattan outpost of London media club Soho House New York is the epitome of urban sophistication. The rooms are understated and chic, with an exciting mix of contemporary and retro furniture, and the views of Manhattan, especially from the rooftop pool, are hard to beat.

Style SoHo chic

Setting Meatpacking District

Rooms 24.

Rates US$525–US$1,450, excluding breakfast and tax (14.75 per cent plus US$3.50 a day).

Check-out Midday.

Facilities Plasma TV, DVD, high-speed Internet access, Cowshed products.

Also The Cowshed Spa offers a range of treatments. The roof terrace has a swimming pool and gym; poolside drinks available from 7am to midnight. The drawing room serves food until 3am on weekdays; 4am at weekends. There is a games room with pool table.

Get more info on Soho House New York and book your stay with special Mr. &Mrs. Smith rates.

Royalton

Royalton

Royalton 2

ROYALTON

Enshrined in design history as Philippe Starck’s first interiors project, Manhattan’s Royalton has since been brought up to date, with an artfully dark and seductive lobby, exclusive gent’s club atmosphere, and a buzzy cocktail bar that’s on every hipster’s tick-list.

Style Smart, sultry and seductive

Setting In the thick of theatreland

Rooms 168, including 96 suites.

Rates Low season, US$299–US$459; mid-season, US$329–US489; high season, US$459–US$619, excluding breakfast and tax (14.75 per cent plus US$3.50 a night).

Check-out Midday, but may be flexible, depending on occupancy. Check-in, 3pm.

Facilities Gym, in-room spa and beauty treatments, WiFi throughout (US$10 a day), valet parking (US$56 a night). In rooms: plasma TV, Bose iPod dock, minibar, Korres toiletries. Some rooms have working fireplaces (these have to be lit by staff).

Also One floor of the hotel is set aside for smokers.

Get more info on Royalton and book your stay with special Mr. & Mrs. Smith rates.

The Bowery

The Bowery

The Bowery 2

THE BOWERY

Five years ago, no one would have looked to the Bowery for Manhattan’s hottest boutique hotel, but the one-time skid row has come up trumps with this irrepressible hipster hangout. The Bowery Hotel’s light, bright bedrooms capture the classic style of New York apartments (complete with moodily lit tiled corridors), and its art-deco-inspired Lobby bar is a homey, wood-panelled haven from the unsleeping city.

Style Retro glamour

Setting Post-punk East Village

Rooms 135, including 25 suites.

Rates US$525–US$1,200; excludes 14.75 per cent tax plus US$3.50 a night. Breakfast is chosen from an à la carte menu.

Check-out Midday; later-check out is subject to availability. Check-in, 3pm.

Facilities Gym, DVD library, valet parking, laundry, free WiFi. In rooms: HD plasma TV, DVD/CD player, iPod dock and stereo system, CO Bigelow toiletries.

Also Non-smoking – except in the bar’s patio area. As a concession to the Chihuahua-toting crowd, lightweight pets (30lbs or less) are warmly welcomed.

Get more info on The Bowery and book your stay with special Mr. & Mrs. Smith rates.

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Asia’s Luxury Stays

Asia’s Luxury Stays

In a region know for service and attention to detail, these properties stand as the best of the best.

By Michael M. Clements

The Park Hyatt’s New York Grill serves up sweeping views of Shinjuku and a delicious array of prime quality Japanese and imported beef

The Park Hyatt’s New York Grill serves up sweeping views of Shinjuku and a delicious array of prime quality Japanese and imported beef

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Sense in the City

Sense in the City

The Carlyle hotel’s Sense spa proves that relaxation is the ultimate luxury

by Karin Tanabe

Carlyle

Whether they board the shuttle from Reagan to LaGuardia, the Acela to Penn Station, or a helicopter to 34th Street, Washingtonians are always heading to Manhattan. The Carlyle hotel, embodying everything that is elegant about New York City, has long been a refuge of choice for the most discerning among them.

Now its siren song sounds even sweeter with the opening of Sense, a Rosewood Spa. A bi-level oasis on the third floor of the Art Deco hotel, the dim light, dark wood, graceful chandeliers, and of course, exemplary service, beckon those who appreciate truly classic style. One of the spa’s coups was arranging to use beauty products supplied by the French manufacturer Sisley (the only other spa in the world to use the line is the Byblos in St. Tropez). Sense opened its doors in late Fall 2008, in the middle of economic turbulence and dropping temperatures. Perfecting the art of escape may be needed now more than ever – even if it’s only for a mere hour or two.
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Hot Island Escapes

Hot Island Escapes

There’s more to the Caribbean than poolside piña coladas. Hot new resorts, interesting cultural festivals, and celebrity-studded events fill the fall season’s jam-packed schedule. Mark your calendar, jump on a plane, and relax in paradise.

beach1008

An aerial view of Bahia Beach.

ST. REGIS RESORT, BAHIA BEACH
Construction started in June on what is sure to be one of the most luxurious resorts in Puerto Rico, so start planning your trip now. Slated to open in 2010, the hotel features over 130 guest units, a world-class spa and fitness center, several restaurants, and a grand ballroom, among other amenities. St. Regis Resort, Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico, bahiabeachpuertorico.com

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Escape this Weekend

Escape this Weekend


Get out of the city for a blissful stay at one of the top regional getaways.

By Bridget Manifold, Clay Gaynor, and Beth Farnstrom
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

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Marriott Books a Modern Master

Marriott Books a Modern Master

Building on the success of iconic hotels like Gramercy Park and The Delano, Ian Schrager teams up with Marriott to bring his award-winning vision to Washington.

By Ian Schrager

A guest room in Ian Schrager's celebrated Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City. The hotelier is famous for his quirky, original aesthetic.

A guest room in Ian Schrager's celebrated Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City. The hotelier is famous for his quirky, original aesthetic.

People today are more sophisticated than ever before, and they understand and appreciate good design, quality, and originality in ways that would have been unthinkable a few decades ago. They will not accept derivatives, and they want the ethos and soul of a hotel to be authentic and have both character that’s entirely unique.  They also expect and deserve impeccable, modern and gracious service that is both personalized and luxurious, yet down to earth.  It’s the ultimate balancing act of these apparent contradictions to create a hotel that is simultaneously specific and customized yet universal. Read the full story

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Feeling Presidential?

Feeling Presidential?

Accommodations to rival the White House

by Katie Tarbox

In December 2007, the Inn will reopen its famed doors with all the amenities fit for a president.

In December 2007, the Inn will reopen its famed doors with all the amenities fit for a president.

North of the West Wing

Want Presidential? What is better than luxury and legendary service just a block from the White House at the St. Regis? In December, after extensive renovations, the famed hotel will re-open with 175 guest rooms and 25 luxury appointed suites which mix glamour with tradition. Like the house next door, the hotel will offer their signature butler service, who is on call to fulfill your every request. Modern amenities include state-of-the-art technology such as a Bose iPod SoundDock and DVD player now round out this traditional hotel. Get there: 923 16th St NW, Washington, D.C., 202-638-2626, www.stregis.com Read the full story

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Keys to Hollywood

Keys to Hollywood

Besides a convertible and industry contacts, the most important thing you need to navigate an L.A. weekend is a room with Hollywood mystique. Boutique, Deco or classic, there’s a home for you in the land of sunshine, stars, and stop-and-go traffic.

by Michael M. Clements

Private poolside cabana at Blue on Blue restaurant at the Avalon hotel in Beverly Hills.

Private poolside cabana at Blue on Blue restaurant at the Avalon hotel in Beverly Hills.

AVALON

Classic California ’50s Cool

The Buzz: A hidden oasis for those “in the know.” By day, stroll from this quiet residential nook to Rodeo Drive; by night, chill Vegas-style with cocktails by the pool.

History: Formerly the Beverly Carlton, built in 1949; redesigned in 1999.

Design: Mix of contemporary and classic-vintage that celebrates mid-20th century Cali patio life.

Rooms: 86 guest rooms and suites in three separate buildings

Amenities: Hourglass pool is property focal point. Penthouse garden terrace is a party spot guaranteed to raise any host’s social status.

Restaurant: Blue on Blue pool-side restaurant and bar serves modern American cuisine with California flair (ask for the semi-private cabanas). Coming for after-dinner cocktails? Be prepared to prove you are on the guest list.

Get there: 9400 West Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-277-5221, www.avalonbeverlyhills.com.

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Inns and Outs of Romance

Inns and Outs of Romance

Kick-start or rekindle love within a 3-hour drive.

By Michael Clements

The il Duomo room at Swann House

The il Duomo room at Swann House

About 30 minutes into our drive from Adams Morgan to the Eastern Shore town of Chestertown, Md., my girlfriend turned to me and inquired, “What do you think defines romance?” Although in the midst of a romantic “getaway weekend,” I grasped for a rousing retort. When nothing came to mind, I fell haplessly back to the ole’ male stand by, “You know, flowers and things…?” Later that night, as I slept on a sofa, I realized roses were simply by-products of love. True romance is about moments and gestures that transcend the ordinary and move our relationships out of the ordinary. My answer should have been, romance is about surprise and finding the unexpected, be it minuet or grandiose.

One way to accomplish this is to simply escape. It doesn’t have to be a weekend in Paris or Marrakech, or some remote 5-star luxury cottage on stilts somewhere on an abandoned Fijian island (although, that would be nice.) Romance, being the fickle cohort that it is, can be rekindled or ignited just as easily close to home – heart-felt intent and quality time trump expensive timeshares any day. Whether you have been married for 33 years or dating just for three months, here are three regional inns that will help you define romance close to home.
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London’s Hot Spots and Hidden Gems

London’s Hot Spots and Hidden Gems

Miller’s Residence, Dukes Hotel and The Berkeley — three of London’s most luxurious boutique hotels

by Kevin Chaffee

The Berkely's Caramel Room

The Berkely's Caramel Room

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Grande Dame of Asian Luxury

Grande Dame of Asian Luxury

Indulge yourself at The Peninsula Hong Kong.

by Michael Clements

 

Exterior of The Peninsula Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

Exterior of The Peninsula Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

Into The Pen…
 The Peninsula Hong Kong has been the gold standard for luxury hotels in this bustling Harbour city since it first opened its oh, so neo-classical British doors in October 1928. It remains an icon of Hong Kong’s mercantile past as well as the standard for which luxury hotels in Asia are measured today.

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Cabo Calling

Cabo Calling

The One & Only Palmilla Resort and Esperanza Resort Beckon Guests to Cabo San Lucas

by Katie Tarbox

The infinity edge pool overlooking the Sea of Cortez at The One & Only Palmilla

The infinity edge pool overlooking the Sea of Cortez at The One & Only Palmilla

 Maybe it was because I missed my connecting flight in Houston creating a 25-hour layover. Maybe it was because I hadn’t been away from the office in months.  When I finally arrived in Cabo San Lucas, it looked better than an oasis in the driest part of the Sahara. After a few hours of gazing at the rocky Sea of Cortez against the desert mountain backdrop with margaritas (blended with fresh squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, Patron tequila and cointreau), chips and salsa verde, I knew I had found paradise. 
 
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Paradise in the Mexican Pacific

Paradise in the Mexican Pacific

Vacation like royalty (or an A-list celebrity) at Las Alamandas, where a premium is placed on perfection

By Kevin Chaffee


Chaise lounges on the lawn of an oceanfront villa

Chaise lounges on the lawn of an oceanfront villa


The Location
About two hours south of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on (mostly) good roads or a half-hour private charter flight from that city’s airport to the resort’s private 3,300-foot asphalt airstrip.
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London Calling

London Calling

Checking in to the Athenaeum and Cadogan hotels

by Clay Gaynor

One of the luxurious rooms in the Athenaeum Hotel

One of the luxurious rooms in the Athenaeum Hotel

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Fountain Dreams

Fountain Dreams

Ocean’s 11 made it famous, but its grandiose Italian spirit made it the Bellagio.

By Kevin Chaffee

The Bellagio

The Bellagio


The Location
The Bellagio is the ideal place to stay in Las Vegas if you are planning to gamble, shop, eat or see a show at the MGM Grand, Venetian, or Caesar’s Palace. All are within walking distance—a major plus since cabs are often hard to get at night or on busy week-ends
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